Alexander matchett



(No Model.)

A. MATGHETT. LACE FASTENER.

No. 512,256. Patented Jan 2, 1894.

ms NAYIONAL LIINOGRAPNING company, wAsulmardN. b. z:v

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER MATOHETT, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JULIUS STRASSBURGER AND ALEXANDER MATCHETT 00., OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 512,256, dated January 2, 1894.

Application filed J une 9, 1893- fierial No. 477,055- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, ALEXANDER MAToHE'rT, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lace-Fasteners, of which the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a front view of a shoe top provided with my improved lice-fastener. Figs. 2 and 3 are top plan views of the same, the laces being shown in place in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a central sectional view of one of the fasteners; and Fig. 5 is a front view with the disk removed. 7

My invention relates to the fasteners employed in holding in place the laces used in shoes, gloves, and other articles; and is designed to attain a cheaper and more compact and reliable fastener than has heretofore been employed.

It also consists in the construction and ar-' rangements of the parts as hereinafter more fully described and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, 2 indicates a disk, of any suitable material, which is secured to the shoe-top 3 by a rivet 4, the disk being held at some distance from the shoe-top by washers 5 through which the rivet passes. Between these washers is secured the spring-finger 6, which projects beyond the perimeter of the disk, and is provided with a sharp bond 7 beneath the disk. Through this disk passes an inclined hole 8 through which the end of the shoe lace may be passed.

In using the device, the lace is first passed around the stem of the disk and forced beneath the spring into the space between its bend and the lower washer. Preferably two turns of the lace are taken thus, and then the lace is forced between the disk and the spring and into the bend of the spring, thus effectuallylocking both thisand the two other turns in place and preventing the springing out of the laces from beneath the disk. The ends of the laces may then be passed through the oblique holes in the disks, though this is not essential, as the fastener holds the lace securely without this feature, which may also be used independently of the spring.

The advantages of my improved fastener are apparent, since the last pass or turn of the lace locksboth itself and the former passes firmly in place by pressing down the bent portion of the finger.

The device is easily applied, neat in appearance, and extremely effective.

I claim- 1. A lace fastener consisting of a disk having a stem provided with a radial spring finger extending intermediately between the disk and the article to which it is applied, said finger having a downwardly bent or curved portion in its length to hold the lace in place; substantially as described.

2. A lace-fastener consisting of a disk having an oblique hole therethrough, and provided with a stem having a radial spring finger extending intermediately between the disk and the article to which it is applied, said finger having a downwardly bent or curved portion in its length to hold the lace in place; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALEXANDER M ATCHETT.

WVitnesses:

H. M. CORWIN, W. B. CORWIN. 

